Technology and Lead (Pb) – Is One Like the Other?
Our use of technology isn’t just sitting down at a computer; it permeates our entire day, every day, from your morning alarm on your phone all the way to the end of the day. Even when we’re on the road, we’re focused on where we can plug or recharge our devices so we can stay connected. We use technology to get our work done, stay connected with friends and family, attend school, handle our personal finances and paying our bills, order take out, and on it goes!
In Ed Stetzer’s excellent book, Christians in the Age of Outrage, he asks us to consider the potential long-term implications of our unchecked embracing of technology, using an example from the not too distant past.
The introduction of Lead – Lead is dangerous when consumed by humans. But when it first came out, it was considered a miracle:
- It helped house paint dry faster
- Lead pipes were bringing drinking water straight to our homes
- Lead was added to gasoline to help boost octane levels for power and efficiency
The result?
- Contamination of air, dust, soil, drinking water, and food crops
- Harmfully high human blood levels of lead, especially in children
Not a lot of testing was done to determine potential long-term implications of adding Lead into our lives, and we definitely suffered as a result, ultimately going through great efforts to pull all this lead out of our lives.
So, back to technology and I’ll tie this together. What about our acceptance of all things new when it comes to technology? Have you invited Alexa or its counterpart into your home? Does your shower, garage door, lights, and entertainment system all run through a computer and over the wi-fi? How many times a day do you check your email, your phone, Facebook, Twitter, and the list goes on…
In Adam Alter’s book, Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked, he talks about addiction, something we usually associate with heroin, nicotine, and alcohol, to name a few.
We have a whole new addictive set of behaviors happening when it comes to technology. Here are a few facts Mr. Alter cites:
- We spend 3 hours a day on cell phones
- Teenagers are spending hours and hours, day after day, playing video games alone in their rooms
- One report says that kids open Snapchat more than 18 times a day!
When it comes to this addiction to technology, it’s not a matter of will power. There are many people on the other side of those screens whose job it is to keep you engaged, break down your self-regulation, and keep us addicted!
Consider your consumption of technology; how about your family members? We don’t know the long-term effects to us or the next generations. Be careful who and what you invite into your heart and mind, not to mention your home and business.